Microsoft's search for a CEO has reportedly whittled down its list of candidates to just two, says Bloomberg.
The usual “people familiar with the matter” say that formed Nokia CEO Stephen Elop is on the possibles list, alongside former Skype CEO Tony Bates.
On the probables is Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Microsoft's cloudy …

COMMENTS

For want of a proofreader

Should he get the chance to replace Steve Ballmer's butt groove with his own, it could be taken as a sign that he'll focus on cementing Microsoft as an enterprise powerhouse and perhaps make the enterprise and online businesses someone else's problem.

So, out of these six "jobs" three were acquired and one filed for bankruptcy. Not a very good leader when two-thirds were either bought or filed bankruptcy. What kind of leadership is that? So, the question is, if he becomes CEO of Microsoft, will they file bankruptcy or will they be acquired?

Elop has fine credentials

he was sent as a missionnary to Nokia to spread the smallpox blankets among the savages, plunder the treasures for the Softies, and leave shiny baubles and firewater. later, of course, he brought the natives under control and came home to great applause again.

MS don't need a software guy

They need a business guy. Someone who understands concepts like customers, competition etc.

A perspective from outside the software industry is refreshing. It helps for asking those fundamental questions about the business. MS has lost its way and it needs someone that can ask the big questions and not just roll out a bunch of buzzwords.

No TIFKAM bosses please

Both Nadella and Mulally have their plus points, Nadella has pointed Windows Server and Azure in a good direction. As Charles Manning said, Mulally can offer non-MS, non-IT business perspective which could also be invaluable.

I don't really care who it is as long as it's not Elop, he should join Apotheker in the list of people who shouldn't be left in charge of a sweet shop, let alone a multi-billion pound business.